Ex-Councilman Charged in Bribery

Prosecutors charged a former Alhambra city councilman with bribery Friday after he allegedly offered the city's vice mayor $25,000 to vote for a proposed senior citizens housing project, the Los Angeles County district attorney's office said.

John Parker Williams, 67, was arrested at his home Thursday after a monthlong undercover inquiry by the prosecutor's Bureau of Investigation. Williams, a businessman who also served on the Alhambra school board, was arrested after a search of his home and will appear in court Tuesday for arraignment on a single felony count.

He remains free on $25,000 bail, the district attorney's office said. He faces a maximum penalty of four years in state prison if convicted.

Williams could not be reached for comment Friday.

Alhambra Vice Mayor Daniel Arguello, who is listed as the victim on the criminal complaint, told investigators that Williams had offered him a bribe. Arguello cooperated with investigators, the district attorney's office said.

Authorities say they recovered $25,000 after an Aug. 18 meeting between Williams and Arguello at a restaurant.